'Spin-proof' plane registered between 1941 and 1948. Airport building completed in 1939. Photo from: Grand Rapids Public Library

'Gerald Vinkemulder stands next to an airplane built by William Clinger.' It was registered to W R Klinger of Grandville, Michigan. The engine is a Curtiss OX-5. Aircraft reminds of William Stout's monoplane Skycar, also built in Michigan. Photo assumed taken in Grand Rapids. Photo from: Grand Rapids Public Library

No doubt, the pilot is Harold S Johnson of Illinois, the 'King of Fords'. Check out online videos to admire his really impressive Tri-Motor aerobatics. Soho Oil sponsored him but here the titles are not clear. Tri-Motor c/n 4-AT-42 was later registered as N9610. Photo from: Grand Rapids Public Library

William Stout's airline started commercial flights from Detroit to Grand Rapids on 31 July 1926, operating as Detroit-Grand Rapids Airline. We are assuming that Miss Grand Rapids, wearing fleet number 1, is Maiden Dearborn I opportunistically renamed, but this requires confirmation. Grand Rapids was Furniture City and here we see the 'first shipment of furniture by air' - presumably also the last. The source dates the photo in 1928, but that is unlikely since the USA finally started registering aircraft in 1927. Photo from: Grand Rapids Public Library

'Holder, inverted speed record'. The Howard DGA-4 Mike and DGA-5 Ike were very similar. The DGA-5 originally had small tandem wheels within its wheel pants but this was changed. The pilot is blocking the Fordon-Brown National Air Show titles. Photo from: Grand Rapids Public Library